Bio-diversity

Belize (SHI Belize) came into existence in 1999, following the expansion of its mother organization, Sustainable Harvest International, a non-governmental organization based in Maine, USA. The organization s focus is to provide sustainable alternatives to the destructive practices of slash and burn and migratory agriculture which have depleted local tropical and subtropical forests. SHI Belize provides both families and communities who seek assistance with hands-on technical support and training, advice, and tools and resources during a five-year period. Since its initiation, SHI Belize has planted more than 444,113 trees and converted hundreds of acres to sustainable uses; thereby saving thousands of acres of tropical forest from slash and burn destruction. In addition to providing technical expertise, the organization serves to promote appropriate technology and alternatives to traditional means of cooking, animal husbandry and more. The Objective of this project is a campaign to plant trees to celebrate World Biodiversity Day on May 22nd 2009, with our leaders, business communities, youths and children from various schools through out Southern Belize, so that they can become aware that they can make a difference in protecting our global environment. The challenges facing this project are many which include the communities in Southern Belize are far apart and they take some time to reach. The communities are made up primarily of poor residents who will do almost anything for money and illegal logging that are still being practiced in these communities. Description of Project Activities 1. Training extensionists and teachers educate extensionists on Green Wave and they in turn educate teachers and ask for their support to educate the students. 2. Ad campaign , post flyers, ads on the radio, ads on the television, ads in the newspaper. Begin May 5th May 21st 2009, Duration 1month. 3. Poster/ Poem competition- send letters to school informing the schools about the poster/ poem competition, post flyers about the poster competition around Punta Gorda Town and the different villages. Begin April 22nd May 22th 2009, Duration 1 month. 4. Collecting and Distribution of trees, seedlings and seeds collecting and distributing trees to the different individuals, organizations and schools. Beginning May 5th to May 21st, Duration 3 weeks. Planting and taking pictures of tree planting Project begins and SHI extensionists will take pictures at different villages and location to help and take pictures of the tree planting. Beginning May 22nd 2009 at 10:00 am to 11:00 am Duration 1hour. 5. Uploading pictures unto Green Wave Web Site SHI extensionists will start to upload the pictures unto the Green wave web site. Beginning May 22nd 2009 at 11:30 am to 3:00 pm. Duration 3 hours. Judging Posters The judges will begin to judge the poster/poem competition in SHI office at 11:00 on May 22nd following the tree planting project. Winners will be announce and the first place winner s poster will be sent up to GEF Office in Belmopan. 6. Monitoring of Trees SHI extensionists will be monitoring the progress of trees to make sure that they are being cared for and are surviving. Risks to Successful Implementation Time of Day and the year for Planting the 10 o clock hour and the 21st /22nd May 2010 in the dry season throughout the country of Belize. To plant at this time and this part of the year might be seen to some as ridiculous and hard work. It is therefore necessary for SHIB to continue to monitor the trees for a suitable time to ensure that the trees are taken care of. SHI extensionists will monitor the growth and health of the trees planted for up to six months after completion of the project.

Belize